# Morlaix

> commune in Finistère, France

**Wikidata**: [Q202368](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q202368)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morlaix)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/morlaix

## Summary
Morlaix is a commune located in the Finistère department of the Brittany region in northwestern France. It serves as a significant local hub within the arrondissement of Morlaix and is the headquarters for the Morlaix Communauté agglomeration community. The town is geographically defined by its coordinates at 48.5775° N, 3.8278° W and is connected to the national infrastructure via the Viaduc de Morlaix railway bridge and Morlaix – Ploujean Airport.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Finistère department, Brittany region, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.5775, Longitude -3.8277777777778.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Morlaix and the canton of Morlaix (established March 22, 2015).
- **Agglomeration**: Headquarters of Morlaix Communauté (founded April 14, 1995).
- **Population Data**: Historical and recent estimates include 15,264; 14,830; 15,446; 14,559; 14,729; 19,919; 19,237; 18,348; 16,701; 15,990; 15,695; 15,549; 14,845; 14,709; 14,903; 15,220; and 15,194.
- **Official Website**: https://www.morlaix.bzh/
- **Key Infrastructure**:
  - **Viaduc de Morlaix**: A prominent railway bridge located in Finistère.
  - **Gare de Morlaix**: The local railway station.
  - **Morlaix – Ploujean Airport**: The regional airport serving the area.
- **Media Presence**: Headquarters of *Le Télégramme*, a French daily newspaper founded on September 18, 1944.
- **Aviation History**: Headquarters of Brit Air, a former French regional airline founded in 1973.
- **Sitelink Count**: 72 (indicating the number of language versions of the Wikipedia article).
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Morlaix".

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Morlaix within France?**
Morlaix is a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France, situated within the Finistère department. It functions as the central hub for the arrondissement of Morlaix and serves as the administrative seat for the Morlaix Communauté agglomeration community.

**What major transportation infrastructure is located in or near Morlaix?**
The town is served by the Gare de Morlaix railway station and is crossed by the Viaduc de Morlaix, a significant railway bridge in the Finistère department. Additionally, the Morlaix – Ploujean Airport provides air connectivity for the region.

**Which organizations or companies are headquartered in Morlaix?**
Morlaix serves as the headquarters for the Morlaix Communauté agglomeration community and the daily newspaper *Le Télégramme*. Historically, it was also the base for Brit Air, a regional airline that operated until its dissolution.

**How has the population of Morlaix fluctuated over time?**
The population of the commune has varied across different census periods, with recorded figures ranging from a low of 14,559 to a high of 19,919. Recent estimates show figures such as 15,264, 14,830, and 15,446, reflecting demographic shifts over the years.

**What is the significance of the canton of Morlaix?**
The canton of Morlaix is an administrative division within the Finistère department that was reorganized and established on March 22, 2015. It groups the commune with surrounding areas for electoral and administrative purposes.

## Why It Matters
Morlaix matters as a strategic administrative and cultural node in the Finistère department of Brittany. Its significance is amplified by its role as the headquarters for the Morlaix Communauté, an entity that coordinates urban planning and development across the region since its inception in 1995. The town is a focal point for regional media and transportation, hosting the headquarters of *Le Télégramme*, one of France's prominent daily newspapers, and serving as the base for the former regional carrier Brit Air. Furthermore, Morlaix is defined by its iconic infrastructure, particularly the Viaduc de Morlaix, which stands as a testament to the engineering history of the French railway network. Its position as a commune with a rich demographic history and a dedicated digital presence via its .bzh domain underscores its active role in preserving Breton identity while engaging with modern governance.

## Notable For
- **Media Hub**: Headquarters of *Le Télégramme*, a major French daily newspaper established in 1944.
- **Aviation Legacy**: Former headquarters of Brit Air, a regional airline founded in 1973.
- **Engineering Landmark**: Home to the Viaduc de Morlaix, a distinctive railway bridge in Finistère.
- **Administrative Center**: Serves as the headquarters for the Morlaix Communauté agglomeration community.
- **Transportation Node**: Hosts both the Gare de Morlaix railway station and Morlaix – Ploujean Airport.
- **Digital Identity**: Utilizes the specific regional top-level domain .bzh for its official website.
- **Demographic History**: Maintains a detailed record of population fluctuations ranging from the mid-14,000s to nearly 20,000.
- **Canton Reorganization**: The site of the canton of Morlaix, re-established in 2015.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Morlaix is situated in the Finistère department, which is located in the Brittany region of northwestern France. The commune is geographically positioned at latitude 48.5775 and longitude -3.8277777777778. It falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Morlaix and is part of the canton of Morlaix, an administrative division created on March 22, 2015. The town is a constituent part of the broader French territorial subdivision system, specifically classified as a commune, a status that dates back to the inception of the French municipal system in 1789.

### Administrative Structure
As a commune, Morlaix operates within the French unitary state framework. It is the central entity for the Morlaix Communauté, an agglomeration community that was established on April 14, 1995. This community serves as a key intercommunal structure, with Morlaix acting as its headquarters. The commune is also linked to the broader administrative hierarchy of France, including its status within the Finistère department, which was created on March 4, 1790. The administrative boundaries and relationships are well-documented, with the commune maintaining a significant number of cross-references, indicated by a sitelink count of 72 on Wikipedia.

### Infrastructure and Transportation
The town is a critical junction for regional transportation. The Viaduc de Morlaix, a notable railway bridge located in Finistère, is a defining feature of the local landscape and infrastructure. The Gare de Morlaix serves as the primary railway station for the commune, connecting it to the national rail network. For air travel, the Morlaix – Ploujean Airport is located within the commune, providing regional aviation services. These facilities highlight Morlaix's role as a logistical hub in the Finistère department.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Morlaix has experienced various fluctuations over time. Historical and recent data points include figures such as 15,264, 14,830, 15,446, 14,559, 14,729, 19,919, 19,237, 18,348, 16,701, 15,990, 15,695, 15,549, 14,845, 14,709, 14,903, 15,220, 15,194. These numbers reflect the dynamic nature of the commune's demographic profile. The data suggests periods of growth and decline, with the population reaching a peak of 19,919 at one point before stabilizing in the mid-15,000 range in more recent estimates.

### Media and Economic Presence
Morlaix is a significant center for media in the region. It serves as the headquarters for *Le Télégramme*, a French daily newspaper that was founded on September 18, 1944. The newspaper employs a substantial workforce, with reported employee numbers of 550 and 160 in different contexts. Additionally, the town was the headquarters of Brit Air, a former French regional airline that was established in 1973. These entities underscore the town's economic activity and its role in regional communication and transport history.

### Digital and Cultural Identity
The commune maintains a strong digital presence through its official website, https://www.morlaix.bzh/. The use of the .bzh domain highlights the town's connection to the Breton cultural identity and the specific regional internet namespace. The Wikipedia entry for Morlaix is available in 72 different languages, indicating a broad international interest and recognition. The entity is consistently described as a "commune in Finistère, France," reinforcing its specific geographic and administrative classification within the French Republic.

## References

1. French National Directory of Representatives
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q584238)
7. répertoire géographique des communes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. MusicBrainz
11. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
12. Populations légales 2016
13. Populations légales 2017
14. Populations légales 2018
15. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
16. Populations légales 2019
17. Populations légales 2020
18. Populations légales 2021
19. Populations de référence 2022
20. Populations de référence 2023
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
22. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
23. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
24. [Source](https://www.habitants.fr/morlaix)
25. GeoNames
26. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
27. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
28. Quora
29. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
30. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File